Yet after stepping down from the Test captaincy after four and a half years on Monday, there could still be no real argument about Cook, in his own quiet, undemonstrative fashion, having become one of the great achievers of modern English sport. (Alastair Cook steps down as England Test captain after 4-0 defeat vs India)Not that everyone in England perhaps quite recognised the magnitude of what he was achieving. It would be no surprise to see Cook go past Ricky Ponting, currently second on the list with 13,378 runs, even if Sachin Tendulkar's world record mark of 15,921 looks insurmountable. (#BringBackKP: Kevin Pietersen tweets after Alastair Cook resigns as England captain)One suspects Root, a rare and brilliant talent, could bring a daring approach to the job that was beyond Cook. Yet now that he can sit back and reflect on a job well done, Cook, England's 'Captain Sensible', should content himself that he led with dignity, toughness, gentlemanly spirit -- and lots and lots of runs.

Source: India Today February 07, 2017 04:41 UTC